Photo courtesy of Shareen Vintage
I’m running off in a minute with my friend Tori on an exploration tour of Los Angeles’ finest (as per your recommendations) vintage stores. On the list:
- Wasteland
- Polkadots & Moonbeams
- American Vintage
- Jet Rag
- The Way We Wore
- Iguana
Expect an in-depth report soon (you know I love me some vintage!). Got any more recommendations for us? Do share, Deerlings!
i have to say i was a bit stunned when i saw the ‘no boys allowed’ sign.. i’m all about women creating their own spaces and all, in a big way but… wouldn’t you feel infuriated if you saw a clothing store for men that said, ‘sorry, no girls/women allowed’ ? it seems like ‘no big deal’ and maybe even cutesy, but it just goes to show how women aren’t taken seriously in the real world when we feel comfortable posting signs like that. i think most male shop owners would think twice about posting up a sign like that.
Emily Reply:
March 23, 2011 at 2:57 pm
They have that sign because there aren’t any dressing rooms in there. Women just change out in the open. Especially when they have big sales everyone just strips down to try stuff on. Plus they don’t carry any men’s clothing anyway.
Ollie Reply:
March 24, 2011 at 11:49 am
I agree with prettybottles. Binding clothing to a gender is absurd. The thought of a biological woman being insecure of someone “eye goggling” at her while shes changing is ignorant. People have the right to wear and shop what they will. While the intent may be harmless, it seems a bit biased and a business doesnt run with choosing customers.
Kristi Reply:
March 24, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Excuse me. I wouldn’t want a creepy man ‘eye goggling’ at me when I change.
Ollie Reply:
March 25, 2011 at 6:26 am
I’m sorry, i meant to say the paranoia, not thought. no one likes creepy perverts.
Jen Reply:
March 25, 2011 at 9:36 am
I agree with you Ollie
I <3 Wasteland!!
I got a great pair of vintage embroidered jeans from there a few years back on a trip to Nappa Valley and San Fran for my cousins wedding.
:D
xx
JordanMayTwigs.
<3
Rickey Reply:
March 24, 2011 at 2:20 pm
love Wasteland as well! I got a gorgeous pair of LAMB heels there for $65 in very good condition once, Good choice.
The only thing I’d have to say be SURE you hit is the Pasadena City College Swap Meet on I think the 2nd Sunday every month. The Rose Bowl Swap meet is, I think, the first Sunday, but I could have those mixed up, but while they’re both really good, the Rose Bowl one charges at least $7 admission (that’s what it was the last time I went–I find that the PCC one has just as awesome stuff, and you can see almost all the stands before people go home, whereas the Rose Bowl meet is SO huge you feel like you must have missed all the best stuff. :D )
<3 The Way We Wore!
Wasteland and Jet Rag are definitely DA BomBESTas!!
also recommend
Luxe De Ville
great thrift stores:
Out of the Closet
Buffalo Exchange
CrossRoads Trading
^_^
Rickey Reply:
March 24, 2011 at 2:22 pm
I SWEAR by Out of the Closet. Half my wardrobe must be from that place. :)
<3 Rickey
Pretty Bottles – my friend used to work at Shareen’s Vintage and they do not have fitting rooms, so the women change out in the open. The zoning laws (or so the owner claims) do not allow her to have both sexes in the building without fitting rooms. It makes little sense to me, but that is there reasoning. She has some wonderful pieces but they are very high priced.
First of all, Welcome to LA!
Secondly, I ADORE Polkadots and Moonbeams!! I’m not so crazy about their store with new things, but the vintage one (about two stores down) has some incredible stuff. There is no need to hunt through racks of horrible clothing (although that is sometimes part of the fun), because they’re already selective with what they buy.
I hope you have fun, and, of course, please post pictures of your adventures! (Hope you don’t get too wet).
xx
Oh…I’m looking forward to this!
Hey guys, I’m starting up an Etsy shop soon and I would appreciate if you guys would check out the stuff I’m going to be selling. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fripperies-by-Mondorella/197680863588634
Great post btw Doe, wish I lived near all those stores!!
I love Shareen’s! They have the greatest stuff.
Any vintage store in Ventura Blvd. are amazing and have so much great stuff. I cant go down ventura blvd. without wasting all my money. I love it there. You also MUST go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
Rickey Reply:
March 24, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Just wanted to repeat what I said before, about the PCC Swap meet being, true to form, a bit smaller, but free admission, better deals, and extra points for proximity to Pie ‘n’ Burger. :)
that shit changes everything haha!
Haha! Love it!
Fun fun fun!
I’m with prettybottles on this one.
I know LA has some crazy (read as: completely asinine) laws and I may not be up-to-par with them (having never lived in/nor have *any* interest in living in California), but it seems a little odd to have a law so specific as to say that if there aren’t any dressing rooms – there cannot be any men present in the building.
What about husbands/boyfriends with their wives/girlfriends?
What about transgendered/cross-dressers/men who identify as women?
@Emily – I see men in clothing stores that don’t carry clothes for them all of the time and women in mens’ stores. If you know your partner well enough, maybe you’re picking something out for them? I know I’d trust my boyfriends’ or best friends’ taste in picking me out a kickin vintage outfit.
Haha ”no boys allowed” except Johnny, so funny!
check out this book: Vintage LA by Jennifer Brandt Taylor- eats, boutiques,decor,landmarks,markets & more. It’s a little out dated, 07,but there are still lots of goodies to find. Oh! and LA Bizarro- not sure who the author is. More for fun stuff to see.
So glad you decided to move to LA.
If any of you guys are looking for cute jewelry please check out my Etsy shop called Fripperies by Mondorella! I’m trying to make a go of this! Doe, I’m going to making some unicorn earrings, I’ll have to send you a link so you can check them out !!! :) Love you. you’re inspiring!
I was watching the show Dresscue me I had no idea it was about this store.
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/dresscue-me/
You have to watch it guys.
Doe, is the service really like the tv show?